Is improving mental health possible in digital weight management?
We published a study investigating the effect of our Tier 3 digital weight management service on the depression scores of people living with complex obesity. We know that there appears to be a bi-directional link between depression and obesity (Luppino et al., 2010), and we were interested in understanding further how digital innovation can support people living with obesity from a psychological perspective.
Overview
Fifty-four patients living with complex obesity in England and Scotland were evaluated after being referred onto Oviva’s digital Tier 3 Weight Management programme, by their GP or local NHS provider.
Participants were asked to complete the self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), a well-validated and widely used measure of depression. The questionnaire was completed at the beginning, and at 3 and 6 months of Oviva’s digital Tier 3 Weight Management programme, to understand specifically, the changes in depression symptoms over time during this programme. PHQ-9 scores of 10 or above are classed as a clinical case for depressive symptoms.
Outcomes
Participants reported a decrease in their average PHQ-9 score as they progressed through Oviva’s digital Tier 3 Weight Management programme, with a huge 48% of participants moving to a less severe depression category after 6 months.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrate the broader, holistic benefit Oviva’s programmes can have for participants. Oviva’s delivery model combines psychological intervention and behaviour change support with app technology. This remote blended-care approach is likely to have played a fundamental role in reducing depression symptoms in people with complex obesity, alongside significant reductions in their BMI and providing them with the tools to make sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle.
It is encouraging for remote digital interventions, as the ease of access to care and convenience can increase uptake and engagement from traditionally under-represented groups, removing the barriers to access thereby tackling health inequalities. In addition, the positive holistic effects for participants identified here suggest that weight management services should target improvements in depression alongside other outcomes.
Find out more about this study
References
Luppino, F.S., de Wit, L.M., Bouvy, P.F. et al. Over-weight, obesity, and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(3), 220–229.
Our peer reviewed evaluation shows significant improvements in the depression scores of people living with complex obesity when taking part in our specialist digital programmes.
“This shows how people living with obesity can benefit from the holistic care provided by digital weight management programmes. Digital delivery will help cut the backlog in our NHS and make care more accessible for working people, those living in remote areas, and from ethnic minority communities.”
Lucy Jones, VP Clinical at NHS partner Oviva
About Oviva Way to Wellness
Oviva Way to Wellness is a 12 month Tier 3 weight management programme that puts people in control of their health by offering personalised support from a team of healthcare professionals. As a 100% remote service, participants can take part in the programme from the comfort of their own home and receive support at a time that suits them.
The programme is digitally enabled and combines health coach support with educational resources available via the app and web platform. Participants also have access to Oviva’s NHS approved app where they can track their progress, food, mood and activity and communicate with their coach.